Column One: Research

Researchers at the Educational Testing Service have developed a
method of testing that allows test takers to construct their own
responses while permitting the answers to be scored by computer.

Figural-response items, in which students draw graphs or diagrams in
response to questions, also measure knowledge that is difficult to
express verbally or numerically, the researchers note.

"By using figural-response items, people who think visually could
find it easier to express their knowledge,'' said Michael E. Martinez,
the director of the project at the E.T.S. "Many topics in science and
technology are best represented by using pictorial depictions.''

The method was first tested for the 1990 National Assessment of
Educational Progress. In that test, the researchers found that such
items were harder and more predictive of overall ability than
comparable multiple-choice items.

Currently, the researchers are studying such issues as the
psychometric properties of the items, how the format influences student
thinking, and ways in which such test items could be used for
diagnostic purposes.

Visitors to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington can explore
some of the findings and principles of psychological research, thanks
to a new exhibition sponsored by the American Psychological
Association.

The hands-on exhibition includes more than 30 exhibits and
activities, including sections on thinking, problem-solving, and child
development. In conjunction with the exhibition, the Smithsonian will
also sponsor films, lectures, and other programs highlighting topics in
the field.

"Psychology: Understanding Ourselves, Understanding Each Other''
will run at the Smithsonian's Experimental Gallery until Labor Day. It
will then travel to science museums in nine cities throughout the
United States.

For the first time, data from National Center for Education
Statistics studies are available on CD-ROM.

The disks include data from the High School and Beyond longitudinal
study and the Postsecondary Student Aid Studies of 1986-87 and
1989-90.

They are available for $23 per disk from New Orders, Superintendent
of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15250-7954. The stock
number for the High School and Beyond study is 065-000-00470-4; for the
1986-87 student-aid study, 065-000-00471-2; and for the 1989-90 aid
study, 065-000-00472-1.

Notice: We recently upgraded our comments. (Learn more here.) If you are logged in as a subscriber or registered user and already have a Display Name on edweek.org, you can post comments. If you do not already have a Display Name, please create one here.

Ground Rules for Posting
We encourage lively debate, but please be respectful of others. Profanity and personal attacks are prohibited. By commenting, you are agreeing to abide by our user agreement.
All comments are public.